Implement for bending metallic roofing-plates



(No Model.)

B. P. CALDWELL.

IMPLEMENT FOR BENDING METALLIC ROOFING PLATES.

No. 341,315. Patented May 4, 1886.

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17 zfi 4 2 UNITED I STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN F. OALDW'ELL, OF WHEELING, \VEST VIRGINIA;

IMPLEMENT FOR B ENDING METALLIC ROOFING-PLATES.

FJPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 341,315, dated May 4, 1886. Application filed January 21, 1886. Serial No. 189,305. (No model.)

To (ZZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN F. CALD- WELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wheeling, in the county of Ohio and State of \Vest Virginia, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Implements for Bending Metallic Roofing-Plates, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in the class of metal-plate-bending devices for which Letters Patent No. 329,713 were granted to me November 3, 1885, the object being to provide at little cost an implement for bending or turning the metal plates in applying the roofing to buildings, and which shall be so inexpensive that it can be given gratuitously and without loss to each purchaser of roofing material.

My present invention consists of a tool for bending metal roofing-plates, composed of a wooden head, a handle attached thereto, and sheet-iron bendingjaws secured to the under side of the-heads, said jaws being separated by a V-shaped opening having a curved or segmental top and smooth interior surfaces that facilitate the bending of the metal plates without liability of their edges binding within said aws.

The invention is illustrated in the annexed drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved metal-plate-bending tool, and Fig. 2 is an end view of the same.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the head of the tool, which toolhead preferably consists of a wooden bar having a handle, 2, secured in any suitable man ner midway between the ends of the head, said handle being preferably detachable.

To the under side of the tool-head are secured the two fixed jaws 3,formed from asingle piece of sheet metal bent to a suitable shape, as shown, and having its edges riveted or otherwise fastened to the opposite sides of the head. It will be observed that the sheet metal comprising the jaws is so bent and shaped as to form two firmly-arranged jaws separated at their outer edges by a space of sufficient width to slip readily over and along the edges of the metal roofing-plates. The inner surfaces of the jaws 3converge from the head of the tool in an outward direction for the purpose of providing an approximately V-shaped space or passage-way, 4, between the jaws, as shown in my former patent. In

my above-mentioned patent, however, the inner edge of the head constituting the top of said V-shaped passage-way was shod with a flat metallic plate, whereas by my present in vention the top wall, 5, of the V-shaped passage-way 4 is integral with the jaws 3, and is curved or segmental in form. In connection with the smooth interior surfaces of the jaws this construction serves to facilitate a proper engagement of the tool with the metal plates to be bent, and by avoiding sharp angles between the jaws all liability of binding or kinking is obviated. By this construction, also, the head 1 is made nearly rectangular in crosssection instead of being wedge-shaped, as shown in my former patent. The under side of the head 1 may be somewhat concaved, to conform to the segmental shape of the sheet metal at the top 5 of the passage-way between the jaws. As the space between thejaws 3 is inclosed at the top and both sides by smooth metallic surfaces, the tool can be readily slid along the edges of the roofing-plates without catching on any roughened or uneven portion thereof, and the under side of the wooden head is also protected from injury.

This tool being composed entirely of wood and sheet-iron can be manufactured at such slight cost as to permit it to be furnished gratuitousl'y to purchasers of metal roofing-plates.

It will be understood that I prefer to secure the handle 2 in a detachable manner for convenience of shipping, and also to admit of its being detached from the head 1, so that both can be placed together within a package of roofing material.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. A tool for bending metal roofing-plates, consistingjof a head, a detachable handle, and two converging jaws composed of a single piece of sheet metal secured to said head, sub stantially as described.

2. A tool for bending metal roofing-plates, consisting of ahead, an attached handle, and two converging jaws composed of a single piece of sheet metal rigidly secured to the sides of the head and having. a curved metallic a handle attached to said head, and converging jaws composed ofa single piece of sheet metal 15 rigidly secured to the sides of the head and having a curved metallic portion at the top of the space between said jaws and integral therewith, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in 20 presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN F. CALDWELL.

Witnesses:

T. H. NORTON, B. FIsI-IER. 

